Dar fields female athlete in London

Magdalena Mushi has been selected by the Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) to represent the country at this year’s London Olympics.

The selection has been based on merit according to the TSA technical director Marcelino Ngalioma

Mushi is currently studying in Austria has qualified after meeting all the conditions set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to earn a universality slot for the Games.

The TSA technical director said Mushi automatically qualifies for the slot as she has met all the conditions set by IOC.

He also said TSA is keeping its fingers crossed so that other opportunities for local swimmers arise before June 11 when the final teams from around the world will be made public.

The Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) secretary general Filbert Bayi last week said the IOC has given the country an opportunity to field a female swimmer.

Other condition according to Bayi is that she must be one of national team swimmers who represented the country at the last World Championship held in Shanghai.

He said TSA has communicated to her on the development and said Mushi is in preparation for the Games in London.

Ngalioma said though Mushi flopped at the Shanghai championship, TSA is optimistic she will perform well after gaining a lot of experience in international meetings.

He also said the swimmer will remain in Australia while waiting for an official training organised by the TOC and facilitated by IOC.

According to Bayi those competing at the Olympic Games under the universality tickets do not vie for any medal and the tickets are given to sports federations with an objective to bring inspiration to build up qualification bid for the subsequent Olympics.